Rhetorical Analysis

504 Words2 Pages

Online news website, The Journal, presents the contrasting views of the public issue of chugging. Users ‘RL’ and ‘KM’ weighed in on the opinion piece published by an anonymous writer on the 6th of October 2013. Outlining the effect chugging has on the average shopper, the writer’s audience is the broad public. The writer highlights the many shortcomings of chugging – the shortened form of the phrase ‘charity mugging’ - anecdotally and emotively, then shifting to a more logical and reasonable tone, demonstrating their shared focus on not only the problem, but also solutions. User ‘RL’ similarly shares their experience with chugging as well as highlighting a solution, however user ‘KM’ advocates for chugging by appealing to the reader's sense of guilt by empathising with chuggers.
The headline and subheading of the article present strong implications in that street fundraising is becoming out of control. Asking the question “is street fundraising crossing the line?” not only draws the reader into the topic allowing them to answer it for themselves, but also establishes the writers position on the issue. The use of rhetorical questioning implies that street-fundraising is crossing a line, whereby readers are then influenced to …show more content…

Beginning the article, the writer compares chuggers to ‘New Zealand rugby players’ and ‘gladiators’. This use of comparison and imagery evokes an aggressive portrayal of chuggers in readers minds, positioning them to agree with her judgement of the overly direct and harassing tactics used by chuggers. The use of anecdotes also reinforces her interpretations of chugging as an unavoidable part of city living. “Circling my third fundraiser in a minute”, whilst may be an exaggeration, inclines readers to share her frustration with the oversaturation of street fundraisers and to side with her

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